A new provincial budget, an NDP debate, and a few more seats change hands federally.

Links

• BC Budget
• Vaughn Palmer: NDP quietly abolishes watchdog on civil service appointments
• Reinforcing B.C.’s leadership in interprovincial trade
• New legislation will allow people to renew, replace driver’s licence online
• New legislation will strengthen oversight of international education
• John Rustad bows out
• Harman Bhangu is in
• Pallas Data poll
• Supreme Court invalidates result from spring federal election in Terrebonne riding
• MP Matt Jeneroux leaves Conservatives to join Liberals, citing ‘national unity crisis’ | CBC News
• Prime Minister Carney launches Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy to strengthen security, create prosperity, and reinforce strategic autonomy
• Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy

A sombre reflection takes the place of the throne speech as BC prepares for budget 2026 and Carney may or may not be gearing up for an election.

Links

• Tumbler Ridge PAC GoFundMe for victims’ family
• Throne speech pays tribute to the people of Tumbler Ridge
• Eby says 2,000 public service jobs cut and counting as B.C. faces $11.2B deficit | CBC News
• Supporting children, youth with disabilities with new programs, more funding
• Leader’s Statement: BC Greens Will Not Renew CARGA
• Carney, Ford discussed idea of an early federal election to secure majority, sources say – The Globe and Mail
• Conservatives, Liberals in behind-the-scenes negotiations as PM downplays election talk | CBC News
• Conservatives propose helping Liberals pass BIA if they remove sections allowing ministers to ‘ignore certain laws and regulations’ – iPolitics
• Canada discreetly puts money down on 14 additional F-35s | CBC News

More and more and more names for the BC Con leadership, while Poilievre survives his vote. And an AI consultation summary delivered to us by AI.

Links

• Steve Kooner for BC Conservative Leader
• Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman to run for Conservative leadership
• Bruce Banman
• John Rustad considering a run for leadership
• 2025 Fourth Quarter Interim Financial Reports Available | Elections BC
• BC Conservative leader candidate eyes 10-lane George Massey bridge project revival | Urbanized
• BC Greens Announce the Resignation of Deputy Leader Dr. Lisa Gunderson
• Conservative leadership vote 2026 results: Poilievre easily passes leadership test, receives 87.4 per cent support
• The Conservative Party is overhauling its policy playbook. Here’s what’s changing | CBC News
• Bail-reform bill moves to Senate after co-operation deal with Conservatives – The Globe and Mail
• At portrait unveiling, Harper says Canadians must make sacrifices to preserve independence – The Globe and Mail
• Stephen Harper nude painting sold to Vancouver man for $20K | CBC News
• Weekly Writ 2/5: Conservatives and Liberals set fundraising records in 2025
• Avi Lewis has wide lead in NDP leadership fundraising
• New federal grocery rebate will cost $12.4 billion, PBO estimates | CBC News
• Government tables bill giving Build Canada Homes power to acquisition land | CBC News
• How one defection to Mark Carney’s Liberals set off a political earthquake at Queen’s Park
• When it comes to Ontario, I’m all in. – Nate Erskine-Smith
• Eric Lombardi, More Neighbours Toronto founder considering a run
• An Illusion of Consensus: What the Government Isn’t Saying About the Results of its AI Consultation – Michael Geist